Overturnable bending machine

ABSTRACT

A bending machine includes a fixed frame ( 3   a,    3   b,    4 ) and a movable body ( 1 ), the latter being able to be tilted and being able to reach both a vertical and a horizontal machining position. This bending machine allows machining to be carried out also in situations of limited space, for example in small workshops. Moreover, it allows to avoid that the result of the machining is negatively affected by the weight of the piece/profile ( 12 ). The distribution of the mass in the movable body ( 1 ) may be of various type to obtain different advantages. A locking system ( 5, 6, 7, 15 ) is advantageously provided to lock the movable body ( 1 ) in the vertical position or in the horizontal position with respect to the fixed frame ( 3   a,    3   b,    4 ).

FIELD OF THE ART

The present invention generally relates to machines for bending tubes or profiles, in particular metal tubes or profiles, bars or the like.

PRIOR ART

The machines for bending tubes or profiles, in particular made of metal, have already been known in the art for a long time and are used by artisans and industries. They serve to obtain curved tubes/profiles applicable to numerous technical fields, for example to process engineering plants (chemical, air-conditioning, fluid cooling and/or heating plants, etc.), as well as to obtain support and/or safety and protection structures, such as parapets, podiums and scaffolding, to name just a few examples.

There are various types of tube-bending machines, a first type being the matrix and countermatrix type, but in this case, since the matrix has a fixed radius, it is not possible to use the same machine to obtain curves of any radius on an initially straight tube, profile, or the like.

The second type of machine employed to bend tubes, profiles, or the like, in particular made of metal, is the bending machine, which is able to bend tubes or profiles according to a substantially arbitrary radius, settable by the operator.

This second type of tube-bending machine, corresponding in general to that addressed in the present invention patent application, has a series of deforming rollers, some of which are fixed and other are movable. The tube or profile, or the bar, and in general the workpiece having an oblong shape that is elongated, is introduced in the bending machine between the deforming fixed and movable rollers, and is bent by automatically moving the movable rollers. The exact operation of these machines has already been known for a long time and does not need to be discussed in greater detail. They are also very complex, given that the forces involved can attain very high values and therefore it is necessary to take countermeasures in order not to unduly limit the lifespan of the machine components. Moreover, the machines must also be very precise to adhere exactly to the machining tolerances required, in particular in relation to the radius of the curve made on the tube, profile, or the like.

However, the conventional bending machines have the following drawback.

Frequently, for reasons of space in small workshops (insufficient height or limited floor space) there is the need to use machines with vertical or horizontal operation, that is on a platform respectively arranged according to these orientations.

Sometimes, also a technical condition obliges operators to use a machine with “horizontal” operation, in particular when very long profiles must be bent (e.g., of 6 meters). In this case, if a machine operating in a vertical position, after about 60% of the profile has already been deformed (bent), the remaining 40% would be negatively affected by the profile weight, distorting the result of the curve/bend that one wished to obtain. Therefore, the value of the curve radius set by the operator is not met and in this case it is imperative that the machine works on a horizontal platform, so that the weight of the profile “is zero with respect to the axis of curvature” so as to not distort the result of the radius of curvature.

These conditions require the use of various types of machines, according to the type of machining (on long or short tubes) and according to the machining location (small workshop or warehouse with wide spaces).

The object of the present invention is to provide a bending machine for bending tubes, profiles or the like, in particular made of metal, that can solve the above problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the enclosed drawings, showing a possible currently preferred embodiment thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is the front view of the machine of the invention, in vertical position;

FIG. 2 is the side view of the machine of FIG. 1, always in vertical position;

FIG. 3 is the side view of the machine of the preceding figures, in horizontal position;

FIG. 4a shows (in enlarged scale) the detail of the locking system of the machine in vertical position (see FIG. 1; left side);

FIG. 4b shows the same detail of FIG. 4a , but in a side view (see also FIG. 2).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows very schematically the bending machine of the present invention in vertical position, seen frontally. The bending machine of the invention can assume both the vertical position and the horizontal position, to remedy the problems of the prior art. In this manner it is not necessary to purchase different machines, but it will be sufficient for the artisan (or the user in general) to only have the machine of the present invention, which due to its versatility is adapted to various situations, being able to work both “horizontally” and “vertically”.

The machine in the embodiment shown essentially comprises a machine body 1 mounted so as to be able to oscillate around a horizontal axis, on a frame consisting of a base 4 (fixed to the ground) and two sides 3 a, 3 b integral with and orthogonal to the base 4 itself. The “face” of the machine in FIG. 1 constitutes the machining platform 2, which in this position is perfectly vertical while in the horizontal position of the machine (see FIG. 3) is obviously perfectly horizontal.

As known to the men skilled in the art, the bending machine has the ordinary deforming rollers; in the present case two (lateral) fixed deforming rollers 9 a, 9 b and one (central) movable deforming roller 9 c. The rollers 9 a, b, c are all mounted on respective axes (directed horizontally in FIG. 1 and vertically in FIG. 3). The movable deforming roller 9 c is actuated (e.g., by a pneumatic or hydraulic actuation system) and can slide vertically along a guide (slot or window), omitted for the sake of simplicity from the figures enclosed to the present application.

The piece 12 to be bent, e. g. a profile, tube, bar or the like, indicated by the reference numeral 12, is initially straight and is arranged resting on the two fixed deforming rollers 9 a, 9 b, which have an annular groove adapted to receive the cross section of the piece 12, so as to be able to retain it with respect to the transverse direction (direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 1 that is parallel to the axis 10 of the deforming rollers). Then the movable deforming roller 9 c is lowered (by means of said actuation system), along its vertical straight guide (not shown in the figures), until abutting on the upper side the profile 12 still perfectly rectilinear and horizontal. In the continuation of its travel, which normally takes place without interruptions, the deforming roller 9 c then deforms the piece 12 with a determined deflection coefficient set by the operator. By now rotating one or more deforming rollers 9 a, b, c around the respective axes 10, by means of a suitable actuation system of known type, one is then able to progressively bend the entire piece 12 for a predefined length. The length of the piece 12 which has already “passed” the deforming rollers is, as known, constantly monitored, for example by a measuring device 11 (an encoder or the like), so as to exactly match the desired machining length at the end of the machining of the piece 12.

According to a “parallel” patent application by the same Applicant, the encoder 11 is also able to constantly measure the curvature (that is the deflection) of the piece 12 on the extrados that is the outer part, convex towards the outside, of the curve formed by the piece 12; moreover, the same encoder 11 is suitably calibrated (in the testing phase of the machine) by using a rigid bar, to find the zero point of curvature, or “zero bar” point, as it is called in such parallel patent application by the same Applicant of the present patent application. An encoder and a calibration method of this kind could be used also in the bending machine of the present invention, to initially calibrate the machine in the testing phase and thus obtain results that more closely match the needs of the end user. Obviously, by “encoder 11” it is also intended two encoders, that is a system comprising two encoders, one to measure/monitor the length of the piece 12 during machining, and the other to measure/monitor the deflection coefficient with greater precision than conventional systems. Therefore, in general, the term by “encoder” it is intended in the present patent application (including the claims) any measuring system/device suitable for the purposes outlined above. By observing FIG. 1 it is noted that if the piece 12 is too long (e.g. 6 meters), the already bent part of the piece 12 rests with its own weight, giving rise to a moment of the force of gravity which tends to increase the radius of curvature of the curve already formed on the piece 12, thus making the result of the machining less precise.

Moreover, in the case of a small workshop, if the available space in the vertical direction is limited, it is not possible to carry out the machining of longer pieces.

To overcome this, according to the present invention a system is provided that allows the machine body 1 to oscillate around a horizontal axis, with respect to the left and right sides 3 a and 3 b integral with the base 4 (which is fixed to the ground). This system allows the bending machine of the present invention to be used in complete safety, both in the vertical position (FIG. 1) and in the horizontal position (FIG. 3). With the expression “in complete safety” it is intended that the machine body is sufficiently stable in these positions in order to be able to carry out the machining, so that there are no risks for the operator using the machine. However, the machine body is preferably obviously locked in these positions (vertical or horizontal). The same system that allows the machine body 1 to rotate around the horizontal oscillation axis, therefore also preferably comprises a locking system which allows locking of the machine body 1 in the vertical and/or horizontal position, preferably in both positions.

A specific embodiment of the oscillation system of the machine body 1 with respect to the stationary part (3 a, 3 b, 4) will now be described, as well as the relative locking system of the machine body 1 in the two machining positions, horizontal and vertical respectively.

With reference to the various figures, and to FIGS. 4a and 4b in particular, it is noted that the machine body 1 has two side walls 13 a, 13 b. On the latter, two first perforated bushings 5 and two second perforated bushings 6 are integrally formed (one on each side wall), which are all extended towards the outside of the respective side wall 13 a and 13 b of the machine body 1. Moreover, the sides (left and right) 3 a, 3 b of the fixed frame of the machine, have two semicircular projections 14, 14, on which an oscillation/rotation axis 8 of the machine body 1—that is of the respective machining platform 2 with respect to the sides 3 a and 3 b—is centrally provided, said oscillating axis 8 being only schematized in the figures (a clear representation of the relative bearings, holes and the like is omitted). It is noted in FIG. 4b that the first perforated bushing 5 is laterally offset with respect to the oscillation axis 8, and the same applies to the second perforated bushing 6. The first perforated bushings 5 and the second perforated bushings 6, integral in pairs with the corresponding side wall (13 a or 13 a), are only shown by dotted lines in FIG. 4b (and in FIGS. 2 and 3), since they are obviously hidden by the respective annular projection 14 of the corresponding side 3 a or 3 b. From FIG. 4b , it is also noted that, with respect to the oscillation axis 8, the second bushing 6 is also angularly offset by 90° from the first bushing 5.

Each of said upper circular projections 14 of one side bears a non-threaded through hole 16 (FIG. 4; offset to the right in FIG. 4b with respect to the position of the oscillation axis 8 of the machine body 1), for the passage of the threaded pin 15 of a corresponding threaded hand wheel 7 for locking the machine body 1 in position. Hence, with respect to the representations of FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b , which refer to the vertical position of the machine body 1, and correspond to the left side (see FIG. 1) of the bending machine, the non-threaded through hole 16 for the passage of the pin 15 of the hand wheel 7 is offset to the right (on the side 3 a) with respect to the oscillation axis 8.

The first bushings 5 serve for locking in the vertical position, as shown by the figures, given that the threaded pin 15 of the hand wheel is in this case inserted in the threaded hole 17 of the first bushing 5. In the case of “horizontal locking” of the machine body 1, the latter is first rotated by 90° (after having unscrewed the two pins 15 of the two hand wheels 7 from the threaded holes 17 of the two first bushings 5), next the same two threaded pins 15 of the two hand wheels 7 are screwed into the two second bushings 6, that is in the threaded holes 18 thereof.

Obviously, a man skilled in the art could easily devise other systems for moving the machine body 1, to reach the machining position (horizontal or vertical) thereof, wherein the movement could also comprise some translational components (with respect to the fixed frame 3, 4), that is not be purely rotational.

If desired, a motor could also be employed (hydraulic or electric) to move (rotate) the machine body 1 with respect to the fixed frame 3, 4. The actuation could be by means of pedal or button. The actuation could also comprise several degrees of inclination of the machining platform 2 (FIG. 1), not necessarily only 0° and 90° with respect to the horizontal (workshop floor). Obviously, the machining platform 2 could also have any structure, not perfectly flat, so that the figures enclosed to the present patent application are only illustrative and only serve to express the inventive concept and not to limit the invention with respect to what is already known in the art of this field.

Also the so-called “fixed” rollers 9 a and 9 b could in fact be movable in the horizontal direction only, to make (preliminary) adjustments in that direction.

Lastly, with regard to the embodiment shown in the figures, the following is to be noted.

The distribution of masses in the machine body 1 can be such that the machine body 1 is perfectly balanced with respect to the oscillation axis 8, so that in this case the machine body 1 can be rotated without any effort, to reach the final locking position desired.

In another variant of the invention, the distribution of masses in the machine body 1 can be such that the machine body 1 naturally tends (once unlocked) towards the vertical position of FIG. 1.

It is noted therefore that the present invention can be implemented in various ways, each of which is included in the same inventive concept. 

1. Bending machine for bending pieces (12) of elongated shape, for example profiles, tubes, metal bars, or the like, comprising deforming rollers (9 a, 9 b; 9 c) mounted frontally with parallel rotation axes (10) on a body (1) of the bending machine, at least one of said rollers (9 c) being vertically translatable within a vertical guide by means of an actuation system along the body (1) of the bending machine maintaining the rotation axis (10) thereof parallel with itself, and at least one of said deforming rollers (9 a, 9 b; 9 c) being actuatable by a further actuation system to rotate around the rotation axis (10) thereof, the workpiece (12) being able to be positioned, to perform machining, between said deforming rollers (9 a, 9 b; 9 c), wherein said body (1) of the bending machine is mounted in a movable manner on two stationary sides (3 a, 3 b) of a fixed frame (3 a, 3 b, 4) of the bending machine, which also comprises a base (4) integral with the stationary sides (3 a, 3 b) themselves, said body (1) being able to reach at least two machining positions at 90° with each other, that is a horizontal position and a vertical position.
 2. Bending machine according to claim 1, wherein said movable body (1) of the bending machine is mounted onto the two stationary sides (3 a, 3 b) on an oscillation horizontal axis (8) connecting said two stationary sides (3 a, 3 b) with each other.
 3. Bending machine according to claim 1, wherein a locking system (5, 6; 7, 15, 16, 17, 18) is provided to lock the body (1) to the sides (3 a, 3 b) in at least one of said two alternative processing positions, horizontal and vertical.
 4. Bending machine according to claim 3, wherein the distribution of the mass in the body (1) is such that the latter spontaneously tends to move in the vertical position, in an unlocked condition of the locking system (5, 6; 7, 15, 16, 17, 18).
 5. Bending machine according to claim 3, wherein said locking system (5, 6; 7, 15, 16, 17, 18) is completely manual and it comprises respective hand wheels (7) provided with corresponding threaded pins (15) which can be screwed in first (5) and respectively second (6) threaded hole bushings, such first and second bushings (5, 6) being integral with two respective side walls (13 a, 13 b) of the movable body (1) of the bending machine, and the threaded pin (15) of each hand wheel (7) being able to pass through, before being screwed in the relative bushing (5 or 6), a respective through hole (16) alignable with the threaded hole (17 or 18) of the corresponding bushing (5 or 6).
 6. Bending machine according to claim 3, wherein the distribution of the mass in the body (1) is such that when the locking system (5, 6; 7, 15, 16, 17, 18) is unlocked, the body (1) can be manually rotated in both rotation directions around the oscillation axis (8) with a minimum effort.
 7. Bending machine according to claim 2, wherein 1, an actuation system is provided, for example an electric or hydraulic motor, to carry the body (1) of the bending machine into the vertical position and respectively into the horizontal position.
 8. Bending machine according to claim 7, wherein said actuation system, for example with electric or hydraulic motor, is directly coupled to the horizontal oscillation axis (8) of the movable body (1) of the bending machine.
 9. Bending machine according to claim 1, wherein the machine provides for an encoder (11) adapted to detect exactly the deflection coefficient of the piece (12) on the convex part of the piece (12) as it is bent.
 10. Bending machine according to claim 2, wherein a locking system (5, 6; 7, 15, 16, 17, 18) is provided to lock the body (1) to the sides (3 a, 3 b) in at least one of said two alternative processing positions, horizontal and vertical.
 11. Bending machine according to claim 4, wherein said locking system (5, 6; 7, 15, 16, 17, 18) is completely manual and it comprises respective hand wheels (7) provided with corresponding threaded pins (15) which can be screwed in first (5) and respectively second (6) threaded hole bushings, such first and second bushings (5, 6) being integral with two respective side walls (13 a, 13 b) of the movable body (1) of the bending machine, and the threaded pin (15) of each hand wheel (7) being able to pass through, before being screwed in the relative bushing (5 or 6), a respective through hole (16) alignable with the threaded hole (17 or 18) of the corresponding bushing (5 or 6).
 12. Bending machine according to claim 1, wherein an actuation system is provided, for example an electric or hydraulic motor, to carry the body (1) of the bending machine into the vertical position and respectively into the horizontal position. 